Light emitting diode having well and/or barrier layers with superlattice structure

ABSTRACT

A light emitting diode includes an N-type GaN-based semiconductor compound layer, a P-type GaN-based semiconductor compound layer, and an active region disposed between the P-type and N-type layers, the active region comprising alternately laminated well layers and barrier layers. The well layers comprise Al x In y Ga 1−(x+y) N, where 0≦x, y≦1, the barrier layers comprise Al x In y Ga 1−(x+y) N, where 0≦x, y≦1, and at least one of the barrier layers comprises first and second layers having different compositions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/057,842, filed on Mar. 28, 2008, and claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0030872, filed on Mar. 29, 2007, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0032010, filed on Mar. 30, 2007, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a light emitting diode, and more particularly, to a light emitting diode having well and/or barrier layers with a superlattice structure.

Description of the Related Art

In general, since Group-III-element nitrides, such as GaN, AlN and InGaN, have an excellent thermal stability and a direct-transition-type energy band structure, they have recently come into the spotlight as materials for light emitting diodes (LEDs) in blue and ultraviolet regions. Particularly, an InGaN compound semiconductor has been considerably noticed due to its narrow band gap. LEDs using such a GaN-based compound semiconductor are used in various applications such as large-sized full-color flat panel displays, backlight sources, traffic lights, indoor illumination, high-density light sources, high-resolution output systems and optical communications. Further, LEDs emitting near ultraviolet are used in forgery identification, resin cure, ultraviolet therapy and the like, and can implement visible light with various colors through combination with phosphors.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional LED.

Referring to FIG. 1, the LED comprises an N-type semiconductor layer 17, a P-type semiconductor layer 21 and an active region 19 interposed between the N-type and P-type semiconductor layers 17 and 21. The N-type and P-type semiconductor layers include Group-III-element nitride semiconductor layers, i.e., (Al, In, Ga)N-based compound semiconductor layers. Meanwhile, the active region 19 is formed to have a single quantum well structure having a single well layer, or a multiple quantum well structure having a plurality of well layers, as shown in this figure. The active region with a multiple quantum well structure is formed by alternately laminating InGaN well layers 19 a and GaN or AlGaN barrier layers 19 b. The well layer 19 a includes a semiconductor layer with a smaller band gap than the N-type and P-type semiconductor layers 17 and 21 and the barrier layer 19 b, thereby providing quantum wells in which electrons and holes are recombined with each other.

Such a Group-III-element nitride semiconductor layer is grown on a different-type is substrate 11, such as sapphire with a hexagonal system structure or SiC, using a method, such as organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). However, if a Group-III-element nitride semiconductor layer is grown on the different-type substrate 11, a crack or warpage occurs in the semiconductor layer and dislocation is produced due to the difference of lattice constants and thermal expansion coefficients between the semiconductor layer and the substrate.

In order to prevent these problems, a buffer layer is formed on the substrate 11. The buffer layer generally includes a low-temperature buffer layer 13 and a high-temperature buffer layer 15. The low-temperature buffer layer 13 is generally formed of Al_(x)Ga_(1−x)N(0≦x≦1) at a temperature of 400 to 800° C. using a method, such as MOCVD. The high-temperature buffer layer 15 is then formed on the low-temperature buffer layer 13. The high-temperature buffer layer 15 is formed of a GaN layer at a temperature of 900 to 1200° C. Accordingly, crystal defects in the N-type GaN layer 17, the active region 19 and the P-type GaN layer 21 can be considerably removed.

However, although the buffer layers 13 and 15 are employed, crystal defect density in the active region 19 is still high. Particularly, in order to enhance a recombination efficiency of electrons and holes, the active region 19 includes a semiconductor layer with a smaller band gap than the N-type and P-type GaN layers 17 and 21. In addition, the well layer 19 a includes a semiconductor layer with a smaller band gap than the barrier layer 19 b, and generally contains a larger amount of In. Since In is relatively larger than Ga and Al, the lattice constant of a well layer is relatively greater than that of a barrier layer. Therefore, lattice mismatch occurs between the well layer 19 a and the barrier layer 19 b and between the well layer 19 a and the N-type semiconductor layer 17. Such lattice mismatch between the layers causes pin holes, surface roughness and the like, and degrades crystal quality of the well layer, is thereby restricting the light efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an LED capable of reducing occurrence of crystal defects caused by lattice mismatch between a well layer and a barrier layer in an active region.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a near-ultraviolet LED, in which occurrence of crystal defects in an active region is reduced and surface roughness of the active region is improved.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided a light emitting diode having a well layer with a superlattice structure. The LED according to the aspect of the present invention has an active region between an N-type GaN-based semiconductor compound layer and a P-type GaN-based semiconductor compound layer, wherein the active region comprises a well layer with a superlattice structure and a barrier layer. As the well layer with a superlattice structure is employed, it is possible to reduce occurrence of defects caused by lattice mismatch between the well layer and the barrier layer.

The well layer may have a superlattice structure formed by alternately growing InN and GaN, and the barrier layer may be formed of GaN. The composition of In within the well layer is controlled, thereby implementing light in a near-ultraviolet or visible light region.

The well layer may have a superlattice structure in which In_(x)Ga_(1−x)N and In_(y)Ga_(1−y)N are alternately laminated, where 0≦x, y<1, and x>y.

The barrier layer may also have a superlattice structure. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce occurrence of defects caused by lattice mismatch between the well layer and is the barrier layer.

The barrier layer may have a superlattice structure formed by alternately growing InN and GaN. Further, the barrier layer may have a superlattice structure in which In_(u)Ga_(1−x)N and In_(v)Ga_(1−x)N are alternately laminated, where 0≦u, v≦1, and u>v.

The In_(v)Ga_(1−v)N has a bandgap relatively greater than the well layer with a superlattice structure. For example, In_(v)Ga_(1−v)N contains less In as compared with In_(x)Ga_(1−x)N in the well layer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a near-ultraviolet LED having a barrier layer with a superlattice structure. The near-ultraviolet LED according to the other aspect of the present invention has an active region between an N-type GaN-based semiconductor compound layer and a P-type GaN-based semiconductor compound layer, wherein the active region comprises a well layer and a barrier layer with a superlattice structure, and near ultraviolet having a wavelength range of 360 to 410 nm is emitted. As the s barrier layer with a superlattice structure is employed, it is possible to reduce occurrence of defects caused by lattice mismatch between the well layer and the barrier layer.

The well layer may be formed of InGaN, and the barrier layer may be formed to have a superlattice structure in which InGaN and GaN are alternately laminated. InGaN in the well layer contains a larger amount of In as compared with InGaN in the barrier layer. Accordingly, the composition of In within the well layer is controlled, thereby providing a near-ultraviolet LED emitting light with various wavelengths in a near-ultraviolet region.

Meanwhile, as InGaN in the barrier layer contains a large amount of In, the number of pin holes is reduced, but hillrocks may be produced. It is understood that this is because pin holes are filled with In to prevent them from occurring, but if In is excessively is increased, hillrocks are produced by surplus In. Accordingly, the In content in InGaN of the barrier layer is appropriately selected to prevent pin holes and hillrocks from occurring.

In some embodiments, the well layer may be formed of In_(x)Ga_((1−x))N, and the barrier layer comprises a lower superlattice having In_(y)Ga_((y−1))N and GaN alternately laminated; an upper superlattice having In_(y)Ga_((1−y))N and GaN alternately laminated; and a middle superlattice interposed between the lower and upper superlattices, the middle superlattice having In_(z)Ga_((1−z))N and GaN alternately laminated, where 0<x<0.5, 0<y<0.05, 0<z<0.1 and y<z<x. According to these embodiments, a superlattice with a large In content is disposed between superlattices with a small In content. Accordingly, superlattices with different In contents are laminated, thereby preventing pin holes and hillrocks from occurring.

In another embodiments, composition ratios of InGaN in the well layer and the barrier layer with the superlattice structure may be 0<x<0.5, 0<y<0.1, 0<z<0.05 and z<y<x. That is, unlike the aforementioned embodiments, a superlattice structure with a small In content is disposed between superlattice structures with a large In content to thereby prevent pin holes and hillrocks from occurring.

Each layer within a superlattice structure has a thickness of 30 Å or less. In these embodiments, each of In_(y)Ga_((1−y))N, GaN and In_(z)Ga_((1−z))N in the barrier layer may be laminated to have a thickness of 2.5 to 20 Å. Further, the respective layers in the barrier layer may be formed to have almost the same thickness.

The lower superlattice may have In_(y)Ga_((1−y))N and GaN alternately laminated 4 to 10 times, the middle superlattice may have In_(z)Ga_((1−z))N and GaN alternately laminated 6 to 20 times, and the upper superlattice may have In_(y)Ga_((1−y))N and GaN alternately laminated 4 to 10 times. The number of laminated InGaN and GaN may be set such that the thickness of the barrier layer is not excessively increased and pin holes and hillrocks are prevented from occurring.

Meanwhile, the active region may be formed to have a single or multiple quantum well structure. In case of the multiple quantum well structure, the well layers and the barrier layers with a superlattice structure may be alternately laminated.

In addition, the well layers may be interposed between the barrier layers with a superlattice structure. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce strain caused by the lattice mismatch between the N-type or P-type compound semiconductor layer and the well layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional LED;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating an LED having a well layer with a superlattice structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a well layer with a superlattice structure according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an LED according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a near-ultraviolet LED having a barrier layer with a superlattice structure according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the barrier layer with the superlattice structure according to the further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a near-ultraviolet LED having a barrier layer with a superlattice structure according to a still further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals denote like elements having the same or similar functions. Detailed description of components or functions apparent to those skilled in the art will be omitted for clarity. It should be understood that the following exemplary embodiments are provided by way of example and that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein and can be implemented in different forms by those skilled in the art.

In the accompanying figures, the size and relative sizes of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity and descriptive purposes. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. When, however, an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/or section from another element, component, region, layer, and/or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, and/or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, and/or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result in some implantation in the region between the buried region and the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating an LED according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, an N-type compound semiconductor layer 57 is positioned on a substrate 51. In addition, a buffer layer may be interposed between the substrate 51 and the N-type compound semiconductor layer 57. The buffer layer may include a low-temperature buffer layer 53 and a high-temperature buffer layer 55. The substrate 51 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a sapphire substrate, a spinel substrate, a SiC substrate, or the like. Meanwhile, the low-temperature buffer layer 53 may be generally formed of Al_(x)Ga_(1−x)N(0<x<1), and the high-temperature buffer layer 55 may be formed of, for example, undoped GaN or n-type GaN doped with n-type impurities.

A P-type compound semiconductor layer 61 is positioned on the N-type compound semiconductor layer 57, and an active region 59 is interposed between the N-type and P-type compound semiconductor layers 57 and 61. The N-type compound semiconductor layer, the active region and the P-type compound semiconductor layer include (Al, In, Ga)N-based Group-III nitride semiconductor layers. For example, the N-type and P-type compound semiconductor layers 57 and 61 may include N-type GaN and P-type GaN, or N-type AlGaN and P-type AlGaN, respectively.

Meanwhile, the active region 59 comprises well layers 59 a with a superlattice structure and barrier layers 59 b. The active region 59 may have a single quantum well structure having a single well layer 59 a. As shown in this figure, the active region 59 may be formed to have a multiple quantum well structure in which the well layers 59 a with a superlattice structure and the barrier layers 59 b are alternately laminated. That is, in the active region 59 with a multiple quantum well structure, the well layers 59 a with a superlattice structure and the barrier layers 59 b are alternately laminated on the N-type compound semiconductor layer 57. The barrier layer 59 b may be formed of GaN or AlGaN.

The well layer 59 a is formed to have a superlattice structure, thereby preventing crystal defects such as dislocation and pin holes from occurring due to the lattice mismatch between the well layer and the barrier layer.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the active region in FIG. 2, illustrating a well layer with a superlattice structure according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the well layer 59 a may have a superlattice structure formed by alternately growing InN and GaN. For example, using an MOCVD process, InN is grown by introducing In and N sources into a chamber, GaN is subsequently grown by stopping the introduction of the In source and introducing a Ga source into the chamber, and InN is then grown by stopping the introduction of the Ga source and introducing the In source into the chamber, which are repeated, thereby growing the well layer 59 a with a superlattice structure.

At this time, while growing InN, the Ga source remaining in the chamber may react with the In and N sources, so that an In_(x)Ga_(1−x)N layer 71 a may be formed. Further, while growing GaN, the In source remaining in the chamber may react with the Ga and N sources, so that an In_(y)Ga_(1−y)N layer 71 b may be formed. Here, 0<x, y<1, and x>y. The In_(x)Ga_(1−x)N and In_(y)Ga_(1−y)N layers 71 a and 71 b may be repeatedly formed, for example, in a thickness of 2.5 to 20 Å at 800 to 900° C. using an MOCVD method, and the composition of In in the In_(x)Ga_(1−x)N layer 71 a is controlled, thereby implementing light in a near-ultraviolet or visible light region.

In these embodiments, the well layer 59 a is formed to have a superlattice structure, thereby preventing crystal defects from occurring due to the lattice mismatch between the well layer 59 a and the barrier layer 59 b.

Meanwhile, although it is illustrated in this embodiment that the well layer 59 a is first formed on the N-type semiconductor layer 57, the barrier layer 59 b may be first formed on the N-type semiconductor layer 57, and then, the well layer 59 a may be formed on the barrier layer 59 b. Further, although it is illustrated that the In_(x)Ga_(1−x)N layer 71 a is first formed and the In_(y)Ga_(1−y)N layer 71 b is then formed, the order thereof may be changed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an LED according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a buffer layer, an N-type compound semiconductor layer 57 and a P-type compound semiconductor layer 61 are positioned on a substrate, and an active region 59 is interposed between the N-type and P-type compound semiconductor layers 57 and 61, as described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The active region 59 comprises well layers 59 a with a superlattice structure and barrier layers 59 b. However, in this embodiment, the barrier layers 59 b also have a superlattice structure.

The barrier layer 59 b may have a superlattice structure formed by alternately growing InN and GaN as described with reference to FIG. 3. For example, using an MOCVD process, InN is grown by introducing In and N sources into a chamber, GaN is subsequently grown by stopping the introduction of the In source and introducing a Ga source into the chamber, and InN is then grown by stopping the introduction of the Ga source and introducing the In source into the chamber, which are repeated, thereby growing the barrier layer 59 b with a superlattice structure.

At this time, while growing InN, the Ga source remaining in the chamber reacts with the In and N sources, so that an In_(u)Ga_(1−u)N layer 73 a may be formed. Further, while growing GaN, the In source remaining in the chamber reacts with the Ga and N sources, so that an In_(v)Ga_(1−v)N layer 73 b may be formed. Here, 0≦u, v≦1, and u>v. The In_(u)Ga_(1−u)N and In_(v)Ga_(1−v)N layers 73 a and 73 b may be repeatedly formed, for example, in a thickness of 2.5 to 20 Å at 800 to 900° C. using an MOCVD method.

Meanwhile, the barrier layer 59 b has a bandgap broader than the well layer 59 a. Generally, as the In composition ratio within an InGaN layer decreases, the bandgap of the InGaN layer increases. Thus, the In_(v)Ga_(1−v)N layer 73 b is grown so that the In composition ratio “v” of the In_(v)Ga_(1−v)N layer 73 b has a value relatively smaller than the In composition ratio “x” of the In_(x)Ga_(1−x)N layer 71 a (see FIG. 3).

In this embodiment, the barrier layer 59 b is formed to have a superlattice structure, thereby preventing crystal defects from occurring due to the lattice mismatch between the well layer 59 a and the barrier layer 59 b.

Meanwhile, although it is illustrated and described in this embodiment that the In_(u)Ga_(1−u)N layer 73 a is first formed and the In_(v)Ga_(1−v)N layer 73 b is then formed, the order thereof may be changed.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, the positions of the N-type and P-type compound semiconductor layers 57 and 61 may be changed with each other.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a near-ultraviolet LED according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, an N-type compound semiconductor layer 157 is positioned on a substrate 151, a buffer layer may be interposed between the substrate 151 and the N-type compound semiconductor layer 157 as described with reference to FIG. 2. The buffer layer comprises a low-temperature buffer layer 153 and a high-temperature buffer layer 155. In addition, a P-type compound semiconductor layer 161 is positioned on the N-type compound semiconductor layer 157, and an active region 159 is interposed between the N-type and P-type compound semiconductor layers 157 and 161. The N-type and P-type compound semiconductor layers may include (Al, In, Ga)N-based Group-III nitride semiconductor layers. For example, the N-type and P-type compound semiconductor layers 157 and 161 may include N-type GaN and P-type GaN, or N-type AlGaN and P-type AlGaN, respectively.

Meanwhile, the active region 159 comprises well layers 159 a and barrier layers 159 b with a superlattice structure. The active region 159 may have a single quantum well structure having a single well layer 159 a. At this time, the barrier layer 159 b with a superlattice structure is positioned on the upper and/or lower portion of the well layer 159 a. As shown in this figure, the active region 159 may be formed to have a multiple quantum well structure in which the well layers 159 a and the barrier layers 159 b with a superlattice structure are alternately laminated. That is, the InGaN well layers 159 a and the barrier layers 159 b are alternately laminated on the N-type compound semiconductor layer 157, and the barrier layer 159 b has a superlattice structure in which InGaN and GaN are alternately laminated. In InGaN of the well layer 159 a, an In content is selected so that light having a wavelength range of 360 to 410 nm is emitted, and quantum wells are formed so that more In is contained as compared with InGaN within the barrier layer 159 b.

The barrier layer 159 b is formed to have a superlattice structure, thereby preventing crystal defects such as dislocation and pin holes from occurring due to the lattice mismatch between the well layer and the barrier layer. In addition, the barrier layer 159 b is formed to have an InGaN/GaN superlattice structure, thereby reducing the lattice mismatch that occurs between the conventional InGaN well layer and AlGaN barrier layer. Meanwhile, if the

In content of InGaN in the barrier layer 159 b is increased, it is possible to prevent pin holes from being produced, but hillrocks occur. It is understood that this is because the hillrocks are formed due to surplus In remaining on an InGaN layer. Accordingly, pin holes and hillrocks can be prevented from occurring by appropriately controlling the In content in the barrier layer 159 b, and the composition ratio of In can be adjusted in a range of 0.01 to 0.1.

Meanwhile, in some embodiments of the present invention, a barrier layer with a superlattice structure for preventing pin holes and hillrocks from occurring may include InGaNs having different In contents. This will be described in detail below.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the active region in FIG. 5 for illustrating a barrier layer with a superlattice structure including InGaNs with different In contents according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the well layer 159 a may be expressed by InxGa(1−x)N, where 0<x<0.5. The In content is selected so that near ultraviolet having a wavelength range of 360 to 410 nm is emitted. Meanwhile, the barrier layer 159 b with a superlattice structure comprises a lower superlattice 171 having InyGa(1−y)N layers 171 a and GaN layers 171 b alternately laminated, an upper superlattice 175 having InyGa(1−y)N layers 175 a and GaN layers 175 b alternately laminated, and a middle superlattice 173 interposed between the lower and upper superlattices 171 and 175. The middle superlattice 173 is formed by alternately laminating InzGa(1−z)N layers 173 a and GaN layers 173 b. Here, 0<x<0.5, 0<y<0.05, 0<z<0.1 and y<z<x.

The In_(y)Ga_((1−y))N layer 171 a or 175 a in each of the lower and upper superlattices has a smaller In content than the In_(z)Ga_((1−z))N layer 173 a in the middle superlattice. Hence, fine pin holes may be formed in a process of forming the lower superlattice 171. However, the middle superlattice 173 formed thereafter contains surplus In, thus filling the pin holes with the surplus In to thereby remove the pin holes. Meanwhile, the surplus In in the middle superlattice 173 may generate hillrocks. Such surplus In is removed by the upper superlattice 175. According to this embodiment, pin holes and hillrocks can be prevented from occurring by employing a superlattice structure containing InGaNs with a small In content and a superlattice structure containing InGaN with a great In content.

InGaN and GaN in each of the lower, middle and upper superlattices 171, 173 and 175 are alternately laminated. A pair of InGaN and GaN may be repeatedly laminated 4 to 10 times in the lower superlattice 171, 6 to 20 times in the middle superlattice 173 and 4 to 10 times in the upper superlattice 175. The number of laminated InGaN and GaN may be varied depending on thicknesses of InGaN and GaN and the In content in InGaN, and is set to control the occurrence of pin holes and hillrocks.

Although it has been described in this embodiment that the InGaN layer in the lower and upper superlattices 171 and 175 has a smaller In content than the InGaN layer in the middle superlattice 73, the InGaN layer in the lower and upper superlattices 171 and 175 may have a greater In content than the InGaN layer in the middle superlattice 173. That is, In composition ratios in the well layer and the barrier layer may satisfy 0<x<0.5, 0<y<0.1, 0<z<0.05 and z<y<x.

InGaN and GaN in each of the lower, middle and upper superlattices 171, 173 and 175 may be formed at a temperature of 800 to 900° C. using an MOCVD method. Each of InGaN and GaN in the barrier layer 159 b may be laminated to have a thickness of 2.5 to 20 Å, and they may be formed to have almost the same thickness.

Meanwhile, although it has been shown in FIG. 6 that the N-type compound semiconductor layer 157 and the well layer 159 a are in contact with each other, the barrier layer 159 b with a superlattice structure as described with reference to FIG. 6 may be interposed between the N-type compound semiconductor layer 157 and the well layer 159 a as shown in FIG. 7. The barrier layer 159 b interposed between the N-type compound semiconductor layer 157 and the well layer 159 a reduces strain caused by the lattice mismatch between the N-type compound semiconductor layer 157 and the well layer 159 a, thereby preventing crystal defects from occurring in the well layer 159 a.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the positions of the N-type and P-type compound semiconductor layers 157 and 161 may be changed with each other.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an LED, wherein well and/or barrier layers with a superlattice structure are employed, so that occurrence of crystal defects such as dislocation and pin holes due to lattice mismatch in an active region can be reduced, and surface roughness can be improved, thereby enhancing light efficiency. Further, there is provided a near-ultraviolet LED, wherein lattice mismatch between barrier and well layers can be reduced by employing a barrier layer with a superlattice structure in which InGaN and GaN are alternately laminated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A light emitting diode (LED) comprising: an N-type GaN-based semiconductor compound layer; a P-type GaN-based semiconductor compound layer; and an active region disposed between the P-type and N-type layers, the active region comprising alternately laminated well layers and barrier layers, wherein: the well layers comprise Al_(x)In_(y)Ga_(1−(x+y))N, where 0≦x, y≦1; the barrier layers comprise Al_(x)In_(y)Ga_(1−(x+y))N, where 0≦x, y≦1; and at least one of the barrier layers comprises first and second layers having different compositions. 